GENEVA-Andria Burchett has won numerous local and regional awards over the years for her colored pencil drawings.

Burchett has a background in fashion merchandising, but since 1990 has been concentrating on her colored pencil and graphite creations. Now, the 58-year-old Geneva resident is passing on the love for the medium through teaching drawing and colored pencil classes at Beech Tree Studio, 2219 Kings Ct.
Geneva.

Demand for her classes has grown so much that she recently opened a second studio in Wheaton.
Reporter Eric Schelkopf had the chance to talk with Burchett about the growth of her business and her love of pencil drawing.

What do you like about the medium of colored pencil drawing?
It's been kind of an up-and-coming medium in the last 10 years. It's gotten a lot of respect in the world of fine arts.There are so many techniques you can use in colored pencil. You can get a lot of different effects. It is a very slow and tedious medium. That's why it is fun to do it with other artists.
It's fun to be around other people who are in the same medium. You get inspired by what someone next to you is doing.

What do you think people see in colored pencil drawings?
I think people are surprised when they look at colored pencil work. Some people don't realize what beautiful rich colors and textures you can get.

What is your favorite subject matter?
I've been doing portraits since I started doing this 22 years ago. I have always loved faces. There is always a story behind them.
It's almost like reading a book. You get to imagine the story behind the face. You get to step inside their life a little bit and understand them.

I understand you just opened a second studio.
We have been fortunate to have such a great response. We have had waiting lists for our classes, which is a happy problem to have. But we want to accommodate everyone who wants to take our classes.
More information about class offerings, workshops, and the two locations can be found at Beach Tree Studio's website, www.beechtreestudio.com.